What is happening with Sandos takeaway?

The future of a seared Preston city centre takeaway is still up in the air nearly two months after a huge blaze tore through the building.

Sandos takeaway in Church Street had its roof almost completely destroyed at the start of May after a huge fire threatened to bring it to the ground.

But despite extensive damage to the roof and exterior, building inspectors from Preston City Council deemed it to be structurally sound and not in need of demolition.

Inspectors from demolition companies also assessed the damage but agreed it was in a good enough state to be left standing.

Lancashire Fire Service says it is still continuing with its investigation into the cause of the fire and despite nearly two months passing no changes appear to be being made to the building.

Fencing has been put up around the takeaway to prevent access and signs offer a warning to anyone walking past to be careful.

But a council spokesman says it is now in the hands of the owners and says it would be their decision if it was to be demolished and not the councils.

And Lancashire Fire Service’s spokesman says it could be months before the cause of the fire is determined.

They said: “It can be quite a lengthy process, which is why there’s been no outcome as of yet. Our investigators are still looking into the cause of the fire which includes a lot of forensic work and interviewing different people about the incident. This isn’t unusual for a serious fire like this one was and quite often it can take months rather than weeks before the investigation is fully complete.”

The fire broke out at around 10.45am on Thursday, May 5 and smoke from the building could be seen for miles. Parts of Church Street and Manchester Road were closed off and fire crews were forced to call for back up from Penwortham and Bamber Bridge when they realised the extent of the incident.

An aerial ladder platform from Hyndburn was also brought in to help fight the flames from above in an operation which lasted more than four hours and occupied a total of eight crews.

The fire service say the building also suffered severe smoke and water damage.